Occasional Birdy Thread Q4 '18(In memory of Swampsniper)

October 2, 2018 | Self

[Chipper]

Going to start this back up, with permission from Islander7. Posts, comments and stories for the birders/birdwatchers/twitchers on FR. Post and share.

I was walking through a small sanctuary in my county, when I had two Barred Owls paying very close attention to me. I happened to look straight up over my left shoulder and saw why.

Then on the other side of the tree I saw another reason why. One of the best birding experiences I have had.

Parent bringing in the food.

The other watchful parent

Barn Swallow

Northern Harrier so focused on hunting it was within 30 feet of me flying.

Cackling Goose - rare but regular here in Michigan

Burrowing Owl from a trip out West.

Anna's Hummingbird

This picture I had Mallard drake come by the dock I was on and got some decent pictures of. Shortly after it passed by I hear quite the commotion. Two Mallard drakes started to fight behind me. I started snapping pics and didn't even realize until about 1/2 through there was a third Mallard under the pile. Unbeknownst to me a pair were in the middle engaging in Springtime activities, and the second drake wasn't taking kindly to that. I did a gif that compiles all the pics I took (will take a little while to load). There are times where the two bottom ducks were completely submerged.

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you so much!

[Vinnie]

Terrific pics. Thanks
Barred owls seem to be very tolerant of people.

[MomwithHope]

Just one contribution from last winter. Maybe some more if I can get to it. Male pileated. We have lots of them year round. Had to put up the large size suet cage (birdola size) when they started coming so close to the house.

[MomwithHope]

This guy hit the slider just a couple of days ago and was in shock for a little bit. It happens frequently. If you get them upright and put a drop of water at the end of their beak and they drink, usually a sign they will be OK. It was chilly out so I held him for a bit then set him in the sun on the deck railing. 10 minutes later I saw him fly away normally.White breasted nuthatch BTW.

[Fast Moving Angel]

Thanks for the ping. Lifelong bird freak here. Great pix (and the macaw sitting on my shoulder thinks so too). :-)

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Thanks!

[tubebender]

Good Catch MwH. We had one Pileated Woodpecker visit us here in Eureka for a few days eating Huckleberries growing out of a large Redwood stump. We had many Pileated’s at our fishing lodge up on the Klamath River near Bluff Creek. I’m 85 and starting to lose my memory.

[MomwithHope]

We have quite a few, our land is old woods and they like that. But with the suet cage so close to the patio door, it’s tough getting a good picture. They are very shy. When a big tree falls down they always come to get at any bugs.

[tubebender]

Lady Bender’s Peanut Butter suet cakes. She doubles this recipe and get’s about 30 biscuits the size of cupcakes...

For you Wild Bird Feeders

ALL SEASON PEANUT BUTTER SUET RECIPE

1 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 cup LARD (no substitutes)
2 cups quick cook oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup white flour
1/3 cup sugar

Melt lard & peanut butter, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
Spoon into paper lined cupcake trays and freeze.
Makes 12 biscuits. She doubles the recipe and got 29
today but your milage may vary.
Serve in wire suet holders.

[Jamestown1630]

That is so cool! I heard them and sometimes saw them where I lived 20 years ago; there aren’t any around where I am now.

[MomwithHope]

That sounds like a good recipe. I buy them by the case of 12, 2 cases a winter is just about right. Any leftover I stick in the chest freezer.

[MomwithHope]

I hear them most every day when I am out walking the dog. They patrol a wide area. We see them mostly from inside the house. If you sit still in the living room, they will land on the deck railing first, look around then jump over top the suet cage. I can never get a picture of that.

[Jamestown1630]

Very nice.

I sort of believe that the Ivory Bill might still be around...at least, ‘I Want To Believe’...:-)

[dforest]

Super duper pics. Loved them.

[FamiliarFace]

Love the pics! We usually have Pileateds here most every day. Right now, it seems that they are only visiting my feeders once a day, instead of the usual dozens of times a day, so I’m guessing that the babies from this season are being shown the ropes in the woods behind my house.

Can anyone give me a brief description of how to post photos? I do it so rarely that I’ve forgotten how. I have a couple that I’ve taken recently. Some from vacation.

I’m glad your WB Nuthatch is fine! Cute little guy! Or is that a female?

[FamiliarFace]

That looks like a recipe I MUST TRY! Thanks to you and Lady Bender!

[FamiliarFace]

I’m a “sort of” believer, too! ;) Let me know when you come across the Ivory Bill!

[Jamestown1630]

I’m sure there are people still looking around in Arkansas; but my money is on the Everglades :-)

[CJ Wolf]

Can you add me to the ping?

[Pelham]

bump